BIRTHDAYS!!!
I’ve been in Nicaragua for almost 2 weeks now, but it feels like months. Honestly, the way the kids here are able to welcome and actually love the new people that come in to help with the mission, it amazes me. I am so full of love for the youth! Yesturday was such a special day for one of the youth in particular (and for Meg, Whit and I.) We brought Rosita into Leon to try on the dress we bought her for her Quinceanera, which is this coming Saturday. (and for those of you unfamiliar with Latin culture, the Quinceanera is a 15th birthday party, but for the young woman it is the biggest celebration ever. It is almost bigger than her wedding. Similar to a “sweet sixteen” But bigger. Much Bigger.) So because of the importance of this particular age in the culture here, Meg, Whit and I are making a BIG deal about it too! So we bought her a dress, and were able to have her come get it fitted. In the store she saw a dress that was even a better fit and required no alteration, so we just asked for favor on us as we haggled over the price. And Praise God! We got the dress for half what they were asking, and it is PERFECT! (pictures to come, after the party!) I can’t explain what it made me feel to be able to provide a dress for a 14, almost 15 year-old-girl, who had no idea if she would even have a dress for this quinceanera. I was so so happy! The Lord has been so faithful in providing beyond what we could have imagined, so that we are able to make a big deal about a birthday. Their Daddy just likes showing how much He loves them! So Birthday parties have been a big deal right now!
On a personal note: I am doing so good, I’m in love with the people here, and falling more in love with my Jesus. I’m so thankful that I could come and live here this summer. Also, I know that the Lord is stirring up things inside me, even though I can’t fully see what is happening, I feel my gifts beginning to surface, I’m learning to walk in who I was created to be. So thank you to all my financial and prayer supporters, please just continue to pray against the attacks that the enemy has. Attacks against my joy or energy. And also for opportunities to go deeper with some of the youth, to get to the heart of the issues in their lives so that they might let Jesus come in and heal those hurts, and ULTIMATELY to know God more!
Love,
Brianna
